Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

UK: The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published figures that map the UK's performance in installing energy-saving residential insulation. In a local, council-by-council energy breakdown in conjunction with the Energy Saving Trust (EST), the department's figures showed that five of the country's worst performing local councils for installing home insulation were in London.

The London councils contrasted sharply with Kirklees, Yorkshire and Anglesey, Wales, which were revealed as the nation's top performing local authorities with 24.8% and 22.5% of their respective stock insulated. The largest number of insulation fittings that were carried out in 2010 were in Birmingham with a total of 12,079. Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said, "For those who haven't yet insulated their home, I'd really recommend them to pick up the phone, call the EST and check out the help available to cut bills."

Installing insulation forms part of the government's Carbon Emissions Reduction Target scheme and supplements schemes in the forthcoming Green Deal from 2012. As part of the initiative, fuel companies have been told by the coalition government to help homeowners improve their energy efficiency. British Gas, which has a 20% market share in UK gas supply, has recently announced a free insulation installation deal for its customers as part of the plans.

UK: A report has revealed that the UK's insulation market experienced growth in 2010 after declining in 2009. Research and Markets' 'Building Insulation Market - UK 2011-2015' also reveals that insulation is expected to reach an estimated market size of Euro1.16m by 2015.

The report also says that the UK insulation market will continue to be underpinned by the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target, the Green Deal and new building regulations. The largest market sector in 2010 was mineral wool insulation.

The report comes at the same time as figures were released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, which show that just 57% of Britain's roofs are fitted with proper loft insulation and only 58% of buildings have cavity insulation.

The UK energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne said, "At a time when money is tight and with energy prices predicted to rise, householders are missing out on over Euro110 of savings every single year by not getting their lofts lagged and cavity walls filled." The government hopes that an additional three million homes will be fitted with insulation by the end of 2012.